THE MAGIC WISH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 738, 10 August 1929, Page 35

THE MAGIC WISH

(FIRST-PRIZE STORY) Freddy and Flora, who were twins, lived in a little whitewashed cottage by the sea. Their father, who was a fisherman, spent a great deal of his time at sea; while their mother, an invalid, was confined to her chair; so the children were left to themselves. They loved to wander along the seashore, looking for pretty shells, paddling in rock pools, collecting seaweed and gannets’ eggs, and exploring caves. One of their favourite haunts was the tall cliffs which rose sheer from the beach. Winding up to the summit of the cliff was a zigzag path up which they loved to climb. One day, as they were standing near the edge of the cliff, gazing out to sea, they saw a huge wave coming toward them. “What is that?” cried Flora, excitedly pointing at. the wave. ‘‘Come and see!” called Fred, as he began to run down the cliff path. When they reached the bottom they saw the huge wave bearing toward them, and as it reached the sands it burst into a mass of lacy white foam, out of which slid two beautiful mermaids. A . _ , The mermaids seized the astonished children by the hands and dived back into the sea. Next moment they felt themselves gliding slowly between masses of brightly coloured seaweed, while fishes were swimming all around them. It all resembled a beautiful garden. , _ ... „ Soon they reached a palace built ot sea-green coloured stones, studded with pearls. “Pass word!” snapped a stern-look-ing dogfish at the door. “Queen’s permission,” answered one of the mermaids, and passed on with the children into a large hall hung with gaudily-coloured curtains of seaweed. Upon a foam-padded throne sat the most beautiful mermaid the children had ever seen. As they were gazing at her with wondering eyes, she spoke to them. “Dear children, I have brought you here today because you have been so kind and unselfish that X have decided to give you one wish. What is is that you most desire?* ' The children thought for a moment, then replied: “Please would you cure mummy of her illness so that she can come with us on our walks and enjoy herself as we do?” “Your wish shall be granted,” answered the mermaid. Suddenly there was a clap of thunder and the next moment the twins found themselves standing on the beach. As it was beginning to grow dusk, they ran home quickly to find the doctor who attended . their mother talking earnestly to her. When he had gone, she told them that he had discovered a medicine which would cure her in a few months. The twins looked at each other and said: “It was the wish.” But mother did not understand. —Cathleen Fletcher, aged 13.